Page 59 of Fumbled Love

“You know it.” I motioned for him to take a seat on the couch. “And the matzah ball soup.”

“Damn, I can’t believe you didn’t call me. You really know how to hurt a guy’s feelings.” He eased onto the couch and set the big, red gift box on the coffee table.

I closed the door and held up my hand. “Hold on one second.” I scurried into my room and grabbed his gift off the dresser.

His favorite band, The Foo Fighters, was coming to Madison Square Garden in July. I went online the day the tickets went on sale before they sold out. “I’ve been meaning to give this to you, but life has been crazy,” I said, handing him the small gift bag holding the tickets.

He placed it in his lap and handed me mine. “Ladies first.”

I sat down and grabbed the box that he was eager to have me open. Unlike when I tore through the gifts Maverick and I exchanged, I slowly unwrapped this one like it might explode in my lap. My charm bracelet jingled as I ripped off the last piece of tape.

“Is that new?” He pointed to my wrist.

“Yes, it’s a gift from Maverick,” I answered quietly.

“I thought you weren’t a fan of jewelry.”

He was right about that. Unlike most women, I wore minimal accessories. It wasn’t that I disliked jewelry. I just had a bad habit of losing it. So, I kept it simple, with diamond stud earrings and an occasional necklace.

I shrugged. “I’m usually not, but I can make an exception, right?”

I smiled softly at the memory and focused on opening the box on my lap. It was wrapped in more tape than paper.

“I forgot how crazy you get with a roll of scotch tape,” I teased and pulled out a big floppy sun hat and sunglasses. “Um…thanks.” I looked up at my friend, feeling confused.

He laughed. “There’s more.”

My fingers pushed through the tissue paper and plucked out a manila envelope. I flipped open the tab and pulled out a pamphlet for an all-inclusive resort in Mexico. A lump worked its way up my throat.

“What is this?”

His smile was wide. “You and I are going to take a break from the snow and cold. I booked us a week in Cabo.”

My eyes widened in surprise. “You did what?” Holy shit. Maverick was going to freak.

“I know you just took some time off, but I think a week away would do us both some good. Besides, you love the beach.”

“Chad.” I shook my head. “I can’t go to Cabo with you.”

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I knew you would say that, but I already paid for the trip and it’s non-refundable.”

He was sitting too close to me, so I reached for the water on the table to put a little distance between us. I took a sip and moved to the opposite end of the couch. I didn’t want to have this conversation, but I didn’t see another way out of this mess.

“Then take someone else,” I said, holding on to my glass like my life depended on it.

His eyebrows drew together. “I don’t want to take someone else. I barely see you anymore. Surely, you can get away for a few days. You can even bring your laptop.”

“It’s not that.” I leaned back and stared at him. It was time to set the record straight because this conversation couldn’t wait any longer.

Chad put the gift down and narrowed his eyes. “Is this about your new boyfriend? You haven’t been dating him very long, and if I’m honest, he didn’t make a great first impression on me. The guy acted like a douche.”

“He’s not a douche, he’s a great guy, but I do have something to tell you.” I set my glass down and folded my knees under my chest. For a moment, I held my breath, worried that if I didn’t get this out now, I would lose my nerve.

I rubbed at my throat, trying to keep a straight face and not show how uneasy I felt. “I’m pregnant.”

His face fell. “You’re pregnant?”

“I am.” My chest ached because Chad was someone important to me, and I knew this would be hard for him to accept.

---